Minutes of Meeting – September 10, 2014 at Berkshire Scenic Railway Station, 10 Willow Creek Road; Meeting called to order at 6:30pm. Present: Ken Fowler; Ed Lane; Dave Roche; Warren Archey; Channing Gibson. The meeting was recorded by CTSB and the Berkshire Eagle.
Mr. Channing Gibson opened the meeting by introducing Lauren Gaherty from the Berkshire Regional Planning Commission who gave a presentation on the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) proposed PCB remediation in the Housatonic River through Lenox.
After the presentation, CG opened the floor for public comment.
Mr. Clarence Fanto asked for confirmation of the date/time of the next EPA public hearing. Mr. Jim Murphy, representing EPA, confirmed the date as September 23, 2014 at 6PM.
Ms. Nancy Stoll commented on the drastic cost of the clean-up compared to the benefit of only 25% remediation. She cited a study on cancer cases in Pittsfield, showing that they are below the national average.
Mr. Murphy spoke to the audience stating that all questions submitted to EPA as comments would result in published responses both in writing and on line.
A resident of West Stockbridge asked several questions regarding the excavation and sequencing of the clean-up in Woods Pond. He asked that EPA consider using adaptive technologies such as “bugs” to eat the PCBs and used the New England Log Homes site in Great Barrington as an example. He also asked where the licensed facilities were located to dump contaminated material. Mr. Murphy confirmed that there were no licensed facilities in Massachusetts.
Ms. Ruth Wheeler expressed concern that construction and dredging activities will be ongoing for 13 years. She also expressed concerns about the use of heavy trucks on Roaring Brook Road and that the proposed cap on Woods Pond will eventually wash away.
Mr. Jeffrey Lane expressed concern about the removal of contaminated material and the resulting impact of rail/truck traffic on the Town’s infrastructure. He also expressed concern about the ability of the Town’s emergency management plan to respond to contamination-related accidents as well as the potential exposure of public safety and public works personnel.
Mr. Al Robert pointed out that estimated truck loads in the EPA estimates should be doubled to account for trips in and out of the site.
A resident of Pittsfield expressed concern that passenger service on the railroad may be jeopardized if substantial rail capacity is dedicated to the transport of contaminated material.
Ms. Amy Lefave questioned the process for alternative remedies such as those employed at the Great Barrington New England Log Homes site. Mr. Murphy stated that allowing for implementation of such alternatives was part of the EPA process. Ms. Lefave also expressed concerns about rumors that General Electric was approaching land owners about use of property for the cleanup.
Mr. Ralph Petillo spoke in favor of a full cleanup of the river and expressed concern about failure of the cap.
A resident of Pittsfield spoke in favor of a full cleanup of PCBs and encouraged residents to attend the EPA public hearing on September 23rd.
Mr. George Darey criticized General Electric for prior claims about use of railroads and that they have changed their position. He also expressed concern about local roadways. He would like to see the river relocated to where it was many years ago.
A resident of Pittsfield spoke in favor of a full cleanup despite the long duration. He also spoke in favor of making Woods Pond deeper.
Mr. David Naisman questioned the proposed permit’s waiver of the Clean Water Act in Massachusetts, but not in Connecticut. He expressed concerns about legal liability falling to the Town of Lenox. Mr. Murphy stated that he would need to defer such questions to EPA counsel.
Mr. Warren Archey questioned the various removal standards at the various cleanup sites.
Mr. David Roche stated the need to leave the river “better than we found it” and also expressed concern about economic impacts of the cleanup.
Mr. Ken Fowler stated that he grew up in the Lakewood section of Pittsfield and experienced firsthand effects of PCB contamination on human health. He also expressed a commitment to cleaning up the river while also mitigating the impact of the project on Lenox Dale.
Mr. Edward Lane expressed concern about the duration of the project (13 years) – that the work needs to be done safely and considerations for economic impacts need to be made.
Mr. Channing Gibson thanked those in attendance for their comments and requested a copy of Ms. Gaherty’s presentation be put on the town website.
The meeting adjourned at 7:59 pm.
Minutes Taken By: ______________________ Minutes Accepted By: ______________________
Christopher J. Ketchen Clerk
Town Manager Board of Selectmen
| 
